No athlete in the history of sports so dominated his opponents as Babe Ruth did from 1921 to 1931. In those 11 seasons Ruth hit 508 home runs, averaged .355, and led the league in slugging 10 times, home runs nine times, runs six times, walks eight times, RBI three times and won one MVP Award. No one came close then nor since, to the total dominance that he displayed from 1921 to 1931.

      Offered here is one of the implements Ruth used during that time period to forge the greatest statistical sports record in history: a Louisville Slugger bat. Among other things, the center brand type dates this bat to the 1921-1931 period. The Babe’s Hillerich & Bradsby 125 bat is 34 3/4” in length and weighs in at a 36.2 oz. These stats correspond with the weight and length of bats typically ordered by Ruth during the latter half of the 1920’s. The bat is un-cracked and shows heavy use, just as you’d expect from the bat of the greatest slugger the game has known. The barrel has many ball marks and stitch impressions, especially on the left side of the barrel right above the facsimile signature, a particular Ruth trait. There is a heavy grouping of cleat marks on the barrel end, which is not a typical Ruth trait, so there’s the possibility this bat was used by another player or players after Ruth.

      The Babe’s repeated ball contact has left some dead wood on the back of the barrel, giving this Louisville Slugger real character. The natural finish ash wood has taken on a golden brown glow over the years, which really makes this Louisville Slugger stand out. The only thing that can be perceived as a flaw on this bat is that the “h” in the “Ruth” stamping is a bit lighter than the rest of the stamping. This bat comes with a letter of authenticity from MEARS (314788) who has graded this piece of baseball history an A7.5.

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